Cap-embossing machine



June 19, 1934. J H R ET AL 1,963,103

CAP EMBOSSING MACHINE Original Filed Jan. 11. 1932 2 .Shets-Sheet 1 1! 45 0 o 95 Q \L 2 i A/ 92 5a 46 O 52 a7 June 19, 1934.

J. E. SHARP El AL GAP EMBOSSING MACHINE Original Filed Jan. 11, 1932 ATTORNEY Patented June 19, "1934 CAP-EMBOSSING MACHINE John E. Sharp, New Remington, and Max M. Kipfer, Arnold, Pa., assignors to Aluminum Company of America, Pittsburgh, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Original application January 11, 1932, Serial No.

Divided and this application November 23, 1932, Serial No. 644,017

19 Claims. (Cl. 101-3) This invention relates to a printing or embossing device and more particularly to a machine for printing or embossing bottle caps. The invention is particularly applicable to a device for embossing caps of relatively fragile metal foil preparatory to applying the same-to bottles.

This application is a division of our copending applicationserial No. 585,910, filed January 11, 1932, for Bottle cap-making and applying machine.

An object of this invention is to automatically emboss or print thin metal foil caps without deforming or tearing the fragile material.

Another object is to provide a device of the above type which is adapted to form the embossing station of a complete cap-cutting, forming and applying machine.

Another object is to provide a simple, dependable and compact device of the type above indicated.

The invention also consistsin certain new and original features of construction and combinations of parts hereinafter set forth and claimed.

Although the novel features which are believed to be characteristic of this invention will be particularly pointed out in the claims appended hereto, the invention itself, as to its objects and advantages, and the manner in which it may be carried out, may be better understood by referring to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings forming a part thereof, in the various figures of which like reference characters have been used to designate like parts.

In the drawings,

Figure 1 is a longitudinal section of a portion of the cap-cutting, forming and applying machine showing the arrangement of the embossing mechanism;

40 Figure 2 is a diagrammatical view showing the progress of the foil strip through the machine Figure 3 is a vertical, longitudinal section of the cap-embossing die with the cap-positioning guide and knock-out lever shown in relation thereto; and

Figure 4 is an elevation viewed from the right of the cap-embossing positioning guide and knock-out lever of Figure 3.

In the following description and in the claims, various details will be identified by specific names for convenience, but they are intendedto be as generic in their application as the art will permit.

In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in the drawings, the cap-making and applying 5 'machine comprises a main frame or housing 10 (Figures 1, 3 and 4) on which is secured a bracket 11 with open bearings 12 holding a reel 13 containing a. coil or roll of foil 14 which passes underneath a gravity-actuated, slack-providing roller 15, a felt drag pad 19 (Figure 2) and switchoperating rollers 25, all ofwhich are described more in detail in our copending application above ply of foil otherwise fail at this point, the rollers 25 are displaced and automatically shut off the electric current to the driving motor.

The foil then passes to a cap-punching and forming station comprising a frame 30 bolted to the main frame 10 and carrying suitable punch mechanism for shearing and forming caps out of the strips of metal foil and preferably adapted toleave the cap thus formed; in the hole from which it waspunched, whereby it is drawn along with the strip of foil until it reaches the cap-embossing station, to be described. The particular type of cap-punching and forming mechanism is described more in detail in the copending application above referred to, and is illustrated diagrammatically in Figure 2 as comprising a lower punch 31, a fixed knock-out plunger 34 and a ram 35. The lower punch 31 is mounted to reciprocate in the lower portion of the frame 30 by means of a pitman 32. The ram 35 is connected to an arm. 36 pivoted at 37 to a post 38 secured to or formed integral with the frame 30. The arm 36 is connected to a vertical reciprocating rod 39 having a spring 40 at its upper end adapted to yield when the rod 39 has caused the ram 35 to move to its lowermost position.

In operation, when the intermittently fed strip 'of foil is at rest between the upper and lower members of the cap-punching and forming mechanism, the lower punch 31 first moves upwardly and punches a circular blank from the foil strip. The ram 35 then moves downwardly and forces the center area of the blank down into the bore of the punch 31, thus forming or shaping the cap. The ram 35 then moves upwardly and the punch 31 moves downwardly. Inasmuch as the knockout plunger 34 remains in 'a fixed position continuously, the downward movement of the punch 31 results in the formed cap being lifted out of the bore of the punch 31 by means of the knock-out plunger 34.

The formed cap is left within the hole in the foil strip from which it was punchedand, therefore,

- when the foil is given its next forward step move- "73. The embossing ram 72 reciprocates ment, the cap is slid along through a guide 40 (Figures 1, 2 and 3) until it reaches an opening 41 in the lower surface of the guide, where it falls through, as indicated by the dotted outline of the cap at 42, against a guide plate 43, gradually turning from its original horizontal position to a vertical position and passing downwardly in the embossing or printing guide 44 with the lower portion of its annular edgeresting on the surface 45 of the knock-out arm or ejecting lever 46 and with its side edges between the side surface 47 of the knock-out arm or lever and a finger 48 which is pivoted at 49. The guide 44 has aligned openings in its opposite faces at -50,

through which the embossing or printing operations are performed on the cap.

In the form of the device illustrated in Figures 3 and 4, a die holder 51 is secured to the main frame 10 of the machine in any suitable way, with a. centering ring 52 resting in aligned bores 53 in the die holder and main frame. Moiinted to slide horizontally in the die holder 51 is a die block 54 adapted to be slid horizontally into position from the right of Figure 4 and held in position by a locking pin 55. A handle 56 which is secured to the die block 54 permits ready insertion and removal of the die block from the right side of Figure 4. The die block 54 is provided with a bore or opening 57at the end nearest the guide 44 and with an enlarged counterbore 58 forming an annular shoulder 59.

Mounted to slide within the bores 57 and 58 is a backing block 60 having a recess 61 in its outer end, in which is seated a rubber counter or backing member 62. A spring 63'engages between the backing block 60 and an adjusting screw ring 64, having a slot 65, which may be engaged for adjustment by a screw driver inserted through the aligned bores 66.

At the other side of the guide 44 an embossing punch 67, having embossing or printing means 68 at its front end, is mounted in a die block 69 adapted to be slid into and out of position in a die holder 70, the same as described for the die block 54. By having the die blocks thus removable from the right of Figure 4, and by locating a second cap-making and applying machine with a suitable space between the two machines and with the die blocks of the second machine con-- structed so as to be removable from the left of the second machine, it is possible for an operator to stand in the space between the two machines and have easy access to the embossing dies of both machines. The die block 69 is held in position by a removable pin 71. The die holder 70 is secured to an embossing ram 72 by a screw means Within a bushing 74 in the main frame 10.

In operation, the embossing punch 67 moves forward through the opening 50 and presses the top of the cap against the rubber backing member or counter 62 which yields to conform to the shape of the punch, thus producing the desired lettering on the cap. The punch then withdraws from the guide 44, whereupon the knock-out arm or lever 46 moves to the left (Figure 4) and its surface 47 pushes the cap against the pivoted finger 48 and causes the latter to be swung outwardly to permit the cap .to be pushed into a cap chute (not shown), the top surface 146 of the knock-out lever 46 preventing the next cap from falling into operative position until the lever 46 returns to the position shown in Figure 4.

A plate 75 is secured by screws'76 to the main frame 10 to cover an opening 77 in the frame.

This plate 75 has a slot 78 of sufficient width and length to permit the knock-out arm 46 to freely oscillate back and forth to perform its functions.

Mounted on top of the plate 75 is a second plate 79 having an opening 80 just sufiiciently large to accommodate the knock-out arm 46. This second plate 79 is pressed into contact with the plate 75 by means of springs 81 attached to the knockout lever 46. Thus, as the lever 46 oscillates back and forth, no substantial opening exists about the lever 46. 1

The embossing mechanism is driven from the shaft 85 which is operated by any suitable source of power (not shown). Secured on the shaft 85 is a shuttle cam 86 which operates the arm 87 of the pivoted rock shaft 88 mounted in bearings 89 which are secured on the main frame 10. Shaft 88 carries the previously described knockout arm or lever 46. A spring 90 holds the arm 87 in contact with the cam 86. The shaft 85 also carries an eccentric 91 which actuates a strap 92 to reciprocate the embossing ram 72, previously referred to. On the upper end of the shaft 85 is beveled gear 93 meshing with another beveled gear 94 mounted on a shaft 95 which is adapted to actuate the strip feed and shear mechanism.

Although the cap-embossing mechanism has been shown as particularly applicable to a complete cap-cutting, forming, embossing and applying machine, it is obvious that it may be used in various other machines, and that the mechanism may be power-operated or hand-operated, as desired. The embossing punch 67 is intended to represent any standard embossing or printing means.

It is understood that the one embodiment is shown in the drawings merely for the purpose of illustration and that the invention is not to be limited thereto, but only in accordance with the scope of the following claims when interpreted in View of the prior art. a

We claim:

1. A cap-embossing mechanism comprising a. guide adapted to receive a stack of caps edge to edge, positioning means associated with said guide for locating a cap at a predetermined position therein, a cap-embossing die adapted to emboss said cap when in said predetermined position, said die comprising a cap-embossing member and a backing member arranged in alignment on opposite sides of said guide, means for periodically causing said embossing member to engage said cap and to press the same against said backing member, said positioning means being adapted to eject said cap from said guide when said embossing member is disengaged.

2. A cap-embossing mechanism comprising a guide adapted to receive a stack of caps edge to edge to be embossed, said guide having an opening adapted. to receive a cap-embossing member, ejecting mechanism having .a surface adapted to engage the periphery of a cap to position said cap in alignment with said opening for embossing, a cap-embossing member and backing member mounted in alignment with said opening and on opposite sides, of said guide, and means for operating said ejecting mechanism to discharge said cap from said guide after embossing.

3. A cap-embossing machine-comprising a guide adapted to receive a stack of caps edge to edge to be embossed, said guide having an opening adapted to receive a cap-embossing member, anejecting member having a surface normally adapted to position a cap in alignment with said opening for embossing, acap-embossing member and backing plate mounted in alignment with said opening and on opposite sides of said guide, means for operating said ejecting member to discharge said cap from said guide after embossing, and means associated with said ejecting member to prevent another cap from passing to the embossing position while said ejecting member is in cap discharge position.

v punch, an embossing punch and a backing member mounted on opposite sides of said aperture and in alignment therewith, an ejecting member adapted to position a cap' for embossing, said ejecting member having a lower surface adapted to control the longitudinal position of said cap in said guide and a side surface adapted to engage the side of said cap, and means adapted to move said ejecting member transversely of said guide to discharge said cap therefrom after embossing.

5. A cap-embossing mechanism comprising a guide having an aperture therein adapted to receive a cap-embossing punch, an embossing punch and a backing member mounted on opposite sides of said aperture and in alignment therewith, an ejecting member having a lower surface adapted to control the longitudinal position of saidcap in said guide and a side surface adapted to engage the side of said cap, apositioning member'carried by said guide and adapted to engage the opposite sideofsaid cap for holding the same against the side surface of said ejecting member, and means whereby transverse movement of said ejecting member releases ,said positioning member and pushes said cap from said guide.

6. A cap-embossing mechanism comprising a guide having an aperture therein adapted to receive a cap-embossing punch, an embossing punch and abacking member mounted on opposite sides of said .aperture and in alignment therewith, an ejecting member having a lower surface adapted to control the longitudinahposition of said cap in said guide and a side surface adapted to engage the side-of said cap, a positioning member carried by said guide and adapted to engage the opposite side of said cap for holding the same against the side surface of said ejecting member, and means whereby transverse movement of said ejecting member releases said positioning member and pushes said cap from said guide, said ejecting member having a top surface adapted to prevent the passage of the successive cap into the embossing position when said ejecting member is moved into cap discharge position. v

7. A cap-embossing device comprising a guide adapted to receive a stack of caps edge to edge, said guide having an aperture to receive an embossing punch, an embossing punch and a backing plate mounted on opposite sides of said guide in alignment with said aperture, and cap-positioning means comprising. an ejecting member adapted to normally position a cap in alignment with said embossing punch and said backing means for embossing, said member being adapted for movement in the plane of said cap for discharging the same from said guide after embossing, and means associated with said member and cooperating with said guide to prevent passage of asecond cap into embossing position when said member is in cap discharge position.

8. In a device of the class described, a cap-embossing mechanism comprising a cap guide having an aperture adapted to receive an embossing punch, an embossing punch and an elastic, deformable backing member mounted on opposite sides of said cap guide inalignment with said apertures, said punch being adapted to engage a cap positioned between said punch and backing member to emboss the same, and said backing member being resiliently mounted for controlled movement away from said embossing punch.

9. In a cap-embossing mechanism, a cap-embossing punch and a backing member, a pair of die holders adapted to respectively receive said cap-embossing punch and said backing member, said backing member having a block member slidably mounted in a cavity therein, an adjustable screw ring disposed in said cavity, a coil spring interposed between the screw ring and slidable block member, and means for adjustably positioning said screw ring with respect to said slidable block member, whereby the efiective pressure of the coil spring against movement of the block member is controlled.

1 10. In a cap-embossing mechanism, a. main housing, a pair of die blocks supported thereby, a cap guide for conducting caps to said die blocks foran embossing operation, a knock-out memberadapted to engage and position a cap in said guide adjacent the die blocks, said knock-out member extending through an elongated aperture in said main housing, said knock-out member being adapted for movement in the plane of said cap for discharging the same from said cap guide on completion of an embossing operation, and a cover plate member secured to said knock-out member and adapted to cover the aperture for all positions of the knock-out member during a capdischarging movement.

11. In a cap-embossing mechanism, a main housing, a pair of die blocks supported thereby, a cap guide for conducting caps to said die blocks for an embossing operation, an oscillatable cappositioning and knock-out member. extending through an elongated aperture in the housing into said cap guide and adapted to engage and position a cap in said guide adjacent the die blocks, said knock-out member having a lower surface adapted to control the longitudinal position of said cap and a side surface adapted to engage a substantial portion of the side of said cap, and a plate member surrounding said knock-out memsaid main-housing adjacent the elongated aperture to cover the same, said knock-out member being adapted for oscillatable movement in the plane of a cap to discharge the same, and said plate being adapted to move with said knock-out member in a cap-discharging movement, whereby the elongated aperture is at all times covered 12. A device of the class described comprising a cap-embossing die including a punch-backing member, an embossing punch adapted to cooperate therewith, a die block having a recess, said backing member being slidably mounted in said recess, and resilient means seated in said recess and adapted to hold said backing member in operative position with respect to said punch.

13. In a cap-embossing mechanism, a capembossing punch and a backing member, a pair adjusting the tension of said spring whereby. the 5 effective pressure of the backing member may be controlled. v

14. In a cap-embossing mechanism, a. main housing, a pair of die blocks supported thereby, a cap guide for conducting caps to said die blocks for embossing, an oscillatable knock-out member adapted to engage and position the cap in said guide adjacent said die blocks, said knock-out member extending through an elongated'aperture in said main housing and being adapted to discharge said cap from said guide after embossing, and a cover plate associated with said knock-out member adapted to cover said elongated aperture in all positions of said knock-out member, and resilient means for holding said cover plate in position with respect to said main housing.

15. A cap-embossing mechanism comprising a guide adapted to receive a stack of caps edge to edge, positioning means associated with said guide for locating a cap at a predetermined position therein, a cap-embossing die adapted to emboss said cap when in said predetermined position, said die comprising a cap-embossing member and a backing member of resilient readily-deformable material adapted to conform under pressure to said embossing member, said positioning means being adapted to eject said cap from said guide after the embossing operation.

16. A device of the class described comprising a guide adapted to receive a stack of caps edge to edge, said guide having an aperture adapted to receive an embossing punch, a cap-positioning member having a surface adapted to peripherally engage a cap and, when in cap-receiving position, to receive and position the cap in alignment with said aperture for embossing, said member being adapted to move in the plane of said cap for dis charging the same from said guide and harm! stop means to prevent a second cap from being discharged from said guide while said member is in cap discharge position.

17. In a cap-embossing machine, an embossing punch and a backing plate mounted in cooperative position, a vertical guide adapted to receive a stack of caps edge to edge for embossing and having an aperture in alignment with said punch and said backing plate through which said punch is adapted to operate, and knock-out means adapted to engage thebottom and one side of a cap for positioning the same in alignment with said aperture for embossing, said knock-out means having a surface adapted to close the end of said guide and to thereby prevent a second cap from falling to embossing position when said means is in cap discharge position.

18. A device of the class described comprisin a cap-embossing die including an elastic, readily deformable punch-backing member, an embossing punch adapted to cooperate therewith, a die block for slidably supporting said backing mem ber, and resilient means for holding said backing member in operative position with respect to said 1 punch.

19. A device of the class described comprising a cap-embossing die including an elastic, readily deformable punch-backing member adapted to conform, under pressure, to an embossing punch, an embossing punch adapted to press portions of a cap into said elastic material to conform said cap portions to said embossing punch, a die block" for slidably supporting said backing member, and resilient means for holding said backing member in operative position with respect to said punch.

. JOHN E. SHARP.

MAX M. KIPFER. 

